~ Dispatches from Abu Dhabi

Tag Archives: new hotel

Millions of people around the world work in hospitality but only a few ever have the opportunity to open a hotel, and even fewer a luxury property. I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to open two in as many years.

To put it in perspective for non-hoteliers, it’s like having a baby. The pregnancy is often long – usually extending far past your due date; there is always extra weight gained; you become consumed (whether you want to or not) in the finite details of the pregnancy and unless your other friends have “kids” (are hoteliers), nobody really understands what you’re going through.

Then the labour begins. It’s painful – LORD, is it painful! Particularly when you have 120 grandparents that fly in from all over the world to help you through your labour, offering parenting advice all the while (usually conflicting). You don’t sleep for 10 days, you barely eat, and a trip to the loo by yourself is considered luxurious “me” time. You’re having to report in several times a day on exactly how the baby is progressing, how it is positioned, and if the vitals are strong.

Then before you know it the day has come, everyone is cheering you on and with one final push – your baby has arrived! Despite your sleep deprivation, you are elated! And so very, very proud for you have delivered the most beautiful baby in the world! Only now do you realize your lengthy pregnancy (11 months in my case) and all the sacrifices you have made, are worth it.

Your baby will most definitely have hiccups, it might even squawk. You will be at the beck and call of your baby 24/7 for the next couple years. But despite all these things, you love your baby and could not be prouder.